ATLANTA — The England vs. Argentina matchup in the World Cup semifinal is anything but ordinary. Both teams rank among FIFA’s top four nations and boast a rivalry steeped in over 60 years of drama, controversy, and defining moments featuring some of football’s greatest legends. As they face off on Wednesday, the two giants will contribute another chapter to their storied and turbulent history.
This rivalry has seen iconic events such as Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal, David Beckham’s red card that humiliated him and his eventual redemption in 2002, as well as a controversial sending-off at Wembley that ignited diplomatic tensions and led to the introduction of red and yellow cards.
Since the 1982 military conflict over the disputed Falkland Islands / Islas Malvinas, their matches have taken on a political undertone. While this context may not dominate Wednesday’s fixture, it remains an unavoidable aspect acknowledged by players on both sides.
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As these storied rivals prepare to clash for the first time since England’s 3-2 victory in a friendly in 2005—making this their first World Cup encounter since 2002—ESPN spoke with past players and examined historical moments to understand why England vs. Argentina remains such a captivating rivalry.
Additional reporting by James Olley, Tom Hamilton, Damian Didonato
England 1-0 Argentina, 1966: The Ban on Shirt-Swapping
The two nations first met at the World Cup during the 1962 group stage, where England won 3-1. However, their next matchup—a quarterfinal at Wembley Stadium in 1966—became notorious.
Following a contentious 1-0 victory for England, manager Alf Ramsey characterized Argentina’s players as “animals.” The match earned the title of “el robo del siglo” (“the theft of the century”) in Argentina, stemming from captain Antonio Rattin’s red card and complaints that Geoff Hurst’s decisive goal was offside.
Rattin, who passed away recently at age 89, received two yellow cards for fouls on Bobby Charlton and Hurst but refused to exit the pitch until escorted by police. His subsequent protest involved sitting on a red carpet designated for Queen Elizabeth II.
This incident led to FIFA’s implementation of yellow and red cards to enhance clarity in officiating, particularly in cross-language scenarios. Rattin’s defiance and Argentina’s perceived aggressive play prompted Ramsey’s “animals” comment and his interference with the customary post-match shirt swap.
“It was probably the most brutal and difficult match during a time when English football faced challenges regarding violence,” Hurst recalled. “Yet, calling them ‘animals’ seemed inappropriate. While there were alternatives like ‘dirty’ or ‘vicious,’ that term fell short.”
In later reflections, Rattin expressed his belief that the game was unfairly officiated, stating, “The referee constantly favored England, fabricating fouls and handballs.” He viewed the tournament as biased towards England, culminating in a perceived phantom goal in the final against West Germany.
Tensions continued post-match, with Argentina’s Roberto Ferrero pushing the referee and Ermindo Onega spitting at FIFA vice president Harry Cavan, each handed a three-match suspension. An Argentinian FA spokesman acknowledged their players’ misconduct but attributed it to unfortunate provocation from biased officiating.
Argentina 2-1 England, 1986: The Legendary Hand of God
One moment epitomizes the England-Argentina rivalry: in the 51st minute of the World Cup quarterfinal at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on June 22, 1986. Diego Maradona, then the world’s best player, illegally directed the ball into the net with his hand, putting Argentina ahead 1-0. Pictures capture Maradona’s left hand guiding the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Shilton and his teammates were enraged and protested to referee Ali Bin Nasser, yet Maradona celebrated vigorously. The goal stood and just four minutes later, Maradona scored another spectacular goal, further solidifying the match’s historical significance.
Maradona later described the incident with the famous line: “A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” This quote carries layered meanings; for English fans, it was an admission of cheating, but for Maradona and his teammates, it echoed the lingering sorrow of the Falklands/Malvinas conflict.
“Ahead of the match, Diego inspired us in the tunnel,” reflected defender Oscar Ruggeri. “‘Come on, lads, they killed a bunch of our kids.’ The match was more than just a game for us; it was about representing our people back home who demanded a victory.”
In contrast, England players retained a sense of injustice strictly tied to the match itself, which has endured for 40 years. “I’ll never forgive him [Maradona],” stated England defender Terry Butcher. “Losing a World Cup quarterfinal under those conditions is something that’s hard to move past.”
Shilton expressed his grievances with Maradona’s legacy, stating, “What I dislike most is that he never apologized. He never admitted to cheating or offered an acknowledgment. Instead, he opted for the ‘hand of God’ phrase—unacceptable.”
Maradona himself admitted in 2019, “I knew it was my hand. It wasn’t planned, but the moment happened so quickly that the linesman missed it. The referee just looked at me and said: ‘Goal.’ It felt like some form of revenge against the English.”
Argentina 2-2 England (4-3 on penalties), 1998: Beckham vs. Simeone
During the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham was England’s golden boy and a future captain, yet he became infamous after receiving a red card for kicking Argentina’s Diego Simeone in a gripping round-of-16 match.
Beckham was scapegoated for the loss due to his ejection, which left England shorthanded for the majority of the match. The incident had profound implications on his career. “I reacted after Diego put his hand on my head, either rubbing or pulling my hair,” Beckham explained. “The fallout from the sending-off was one of the hardest periods in my career.”
Simeone openly acknowledged in a 2002 interview that he took advantage of the situation to influence the referee’s decision. “After we both fell to the ground, Beckham kicked me from behind, and I capitalized on that moment—anyone would have,” Simeone noted.
For England’s players, the fierce rivalry felt even more palpable during this encounter. “The Hand of God was a prominent memory for me as I was 12 at the time,” Paul Scholes remarked. “However, this match held deeper significance for Argentina because of its historical context.”
Steve McManaman echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the rivalry felt more intense due to the political backdrop. “The Falklands conflict never crossed our minds, while it was deeply ingrained in their mindset,” he recalled. “You could see their passion, especially in the way they celebrated their victory.”
Simeone also acknowledged the weight of their intent to win. “The Argentine people’s desire to defeat England runs deep. That motivation overshadows everything. Each time we face them, it becomes more significant,” he stated.
England 1-0 Argentina, 2002: Beckham’s Redemption
Having lost their previous two World Cup encounters, England entered the 2002 match with a renewed sense of purpose. David Beckham had a chance to exact revenge and find closure for his earlier red card after being awarded a penalty just before halftime. Beckham converted, sending the ball past goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero.
“I recognized it was my moment; I felt ready not just to compete, but to set things right,” Beckham reflected. “Everyone could see the significance of my celebration—it was a moment of personal redemption.”
Of course, in typical fashion for this rivalry, the match ended in controversy. Michael Owen earned the penalty following a challenge from defender Mauricio Pochettino, a decision that sparked debate. “The penalty was not justified,” Argentine midfielder Javier Zanetti commented, though Pochettino later admitted his naivety in conceding the foul.
“From the referee’s perspective, I can understand why it was given. I never made contact with Owen,” Pochettino explained, showcasing good humor about the incident years later.
For this match, England’s determination felt amplified. “Those of us who experienced the 1998 match were desperate to win,” Scholes noted. “We didn’t want them celebrating in front of us again; that left a mark.”